Tomographic mapping of kinetic rate constants in the fluorodeoxyglucose model using dynamic positron emission tomography

Abstract

A quick computing algorithm to calculate the rate constants (k1(*), k2(*), k3(*)) in the [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) model was developed. The algorithm solved for the rate constants pixel by pixel using a conventional least-squares method and two tables consisting of a set of various rate constants, to shorten the computing time. Five planes of rate constant images were obtained. A combined study using the dynamic FDG method and the 15O-labeled gas continuous inhalation method was performed on seven healthy male volunteers aged 26-35 years. Results indicated apparent discrepancy between CMR(glu) and CMRO2 in the cerebellum, where the low glucose utilization was correlated with a low FDG phosphorylation rate (k3(*)) despite a sufficient FDG transportation rate (k1(*)) from plasma to tissue.